Gaming Headset Recommendations

[ajjung99]

I am currently searching for a new wired gaming headset up to $100. I had an old Rocketfish wireless headset that had a really bad wireless connection. I prefer to have an analog headset so I can plug it in to my Asus xonar DG but if most of the better headsets out there are USB I can live with that. From what I've read if I get a headset that connects by USB and no analog connections, then my sound card will not go through to the headset. I also prefer not to buy Turtle Beach based on its reputation on short lived headsets. I also do not want to buy a wireless headset. All of your suggestions are well appreciated. Thanks

Here are a few headsets I've been looking at. As of right now I'm leaning towards the logitech G35 for USB headset or the SteelSeries Siberia V2 for analog headset. Let me know what you would recommend from this list or any other headsets or headphones that you have had experience with.

Logitech G35
http/www.amazon.com/dp/B001O5CCQK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3JCOZYYVDQDT4&coliid=I1926VS4IVCIU8

Razer Kraken PRO
http/www.amazon.com/Razer-Kraken-Over-Music-Headset/dp/B009SJR278/ref=zg_bs_402053011_5

SteelSeries Siberia V2
http/www.amazon.com/dp/B005HGBDBM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3JCOZYYVDQDT4&coliid=I3KF2XKE0RAGUP&psc=1

Plantronics GameCom 780
http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B1KJK22/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0P1WFD3YZ35A3RDCM984&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[ksham]

Sorry if I am misunderstanding, you said that you do or you do not want a wireless headset? Also, what are the requirements of the headset?

 

[ajjung99]

Oh sorry if I was unclear. I do not want a wireless headset. I want to use the headset basically for in game voice chat and maybe for Skype. Headset must be wired, prefer analog connections, and under $100.

 

[ksham]

I would recommend the Skullcandy Slyr or Turtle Beach X12 for price/performance ratio under $100. The Turtle Beach X12 cables are very long so depending on your setup, it may or may not work for you. But you can bundle up the unused cables in a bundle.

 

[ajjung99]

I was considering the Turtle BeachX12 but after I read some reviews it seems to break within 6-8 months of light usage for a lot of people. I would rather pay 70 dollars for a logitech or steelseries that will last a couple years than to pay 45 dollars for something that will last for only 8 months.

 

[Shiggy]

Just want to mention that Turtle Beach isn't that bad of a headset after all.

I've been using Turtle Beach X11(one before X12 I believe) for as far as I can remember which is like +4 or 5 years and it's still kicking.

Those who breaks the headset probably throws it on their bed or couch and end up wearing them out quickly. I would say compared to other brand headsets Turtle Beach surely may be fragile, but with good care, they will last.

Anyways, in my search for headsets I went through Logitech, Turtle Beach, Razer, SteelSeries, Astro, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, and some other minor brands I forgot the name of, and I even researched on many headphone+mic+amp set as well, and after thinking for multiple days I kind of came back to Turtle Beach in the end. Thinking of going for PX22.

 

[ksham]

I have a Turtle Beach X12 for 15 months, 2 weeks, 5 days and still works for me. Regardless of the product, you'll always find someone saying it breaks, or it doesn't work, etc. That always happens in production lines.

 

[ajjung99]

Thanks for the comments guys. So far I have narrowed it down to the x12 and the Siberia V2. If I wanted to get a headset for listening to music and gaming would you still recommend the x12 or the Siberia V2?

 

[ksham]

For gaming, I'll stick with X12 because of the options it comes with. The headset does require a bit of getting used-to. It is not the most comfortable headset, but after using it for some hours, I got used to it easily.

For music, I would suggest neither one. Headsets have significant poorer sound quality compared to headphones. If you want quality sound for music, I suggest a combo with headphones with an aftermarket mic like the modmic.

 

[ajjung99]

I have thought about it and heard that headphones perform very well for games and music. Any recommendations for headphones?

 

[ksham]

http/www.amazon.com/Gemini-DJ-HSR-1000-Professional-Monitoring/dp/B006Y2BI04 ($79.69)
http/www.modmic.com/collections/frontpage/products/modmic-4-0 ($49.95)

That does breaks your budget. $80 + $50 = $130. Unfortunately that the modmic has to take up 50% of your budget. I can find a cheaper pair of headphones, but the quality will be dropped rather significantly.

Alternatively there is a Zalman mic: http/www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ ($7.56)
That mic is decent but no where near as good as the modmic. I owned both and the Zalman's sensitivity is a bit too high. It picks up keyboard, mouse clicks really loudly and if the AC is on, it can also cause a bit of disturbance. Moving the shirt also causes it to be picked up by the Zalman mic. It's really cheap though.

 

[ajjung99]

I've been doing some research and I think I would prefer headphones that are open in the back. I have been looking at the Senheiser HD518 headphones. Any comments?

 

[ksham]

Sennheiser headphones do have good sound quality. The only thing I don't like about Sennheiser headphones is that their material build quality is very poor. Everything is plastic and can loosen very easily and quickly. That's my personal experience on owning 3 different pairs of Sennheiser headphones. And they are not cheap ones, ranging between $150-$300 each. And one is dead so I currently only have 2 left. Sennheiser's cheaper headphones do have poorer build quality than their higher brands, but even their high end tiers have much to be desired in terms of materials used to build their headphones. Nothing worse than it loosening and falling off my head the second I do a quick jog. Sennheiser has gotten better recently in their high-end models, but it's still not great. I tend to stick more to headphones with better build quality and durability nowadays. Something that lasts a while in terms of durability does matter to me.

Other than that, I do like Sennheiser or else I wouldn't have bought them. My suggestion to you would be to go to a store and test them out yourself. Feel around. $80 may not be expensive for a set of headphones, but I would still be conscious in not throwing away money and regretting it later. You'll end up spending more money replacing it once you get uncomfortable with it. But I do have the opportunity to test out a lot of headphones and being an audiophile, I am rather picky. So feel free to take what I say with a grain of salt if you are not very picky.

 

[ajjung99]

I really appreciate all the advice you are giving me. What is your opinion on the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x or M40x? I think I might get either these or the headphones you posted above. Thanks again.

 

[ksham]

I must apologize that I have never tried the M30x so I cannot speak on its behalf. The M40x is the little brother to the M50x, which is a great set. The M40x has good sound profile. I personally like most of the Audio Technica headphones. I own the ATH-M50 from them. Build quality is still rather cheap but kind of expected from low-tiered headphones. It is plastic, but IMO, it is a lot sturdier than the Sennheiser one.

I will say a few things -- the M40x has no soundstage and its pressure is really high. You will want to wear it for quite some time for it to not feel like a clamp on your head. But you can easily just let it sit clamping a ball for a few days.

Around that price, the Shure SRH440 is a better alternative because if you listen to vocals, the voicing profile of the Shure is better. Sound overall on the SRH440 is better in my opinion. It is more neutral and does have an okay soundstage. But again, these are nitpicks and I am not saying that the M40x is bad. It's a good set. For any pair of headphones, there are pros and cons.

 

[ksham]

Harmon Kardon CL Precision headphones on sale for $65 on Amazon. http/www.amazon.com/dp/B00A3RVNXI

That is a steal. I did buy myself one just now.